Ottawa River Transit Celebrates Six Months of Service and Launches Feedback Survey

The survey can be accessed on the City’s EngagePembroke.ca website at https://engagepembroke.ca/ottawa-river-transit and will be open from February 2 to February 22. For assistance or alternative survey formats, please email ortc@pembroke.ca or contact City Hall.

Background on the Survey:

In August 2025, Pembroke introduced ORTC, a pilot on-demand transit service designed to offer convenient transportation without fixed routes or schedules. Looking ahead, the City seeks your input to shape the future of ORTC. We welcome your experiences and insights using the service or about travel decision-making factors that would encourage you to try the service.

The City of Pembroke has partnered with Left Turn Right Turn (LTRT), a Toronto-based transit consulting firm, to ensure a comprehensive review process. Participation in the survey is completely voluntary and anonymous. Responses will be shared in a disaggregated form to guide strategic plans for 2026 and beyond.

Rising Ridership:

Since the service launch in August, ridership has steadily increased each month. By October 2025, ORTC exceeded its first-year monthly ridership goal of 1,200 to 1,700 rides. In total, 7,781 rides were provided in 2025, with December reaching 1,943 rides. In January, the service reached a new milestone, surpassing 2,000 rides in a single month, with 2,114 rides provided.

Business Engagement:

Local businesses will be emailed a separate survey as part of the six-month review, allowing them to provide specific feedback on transit impacts and possible improvements.

About Ottawa River Transit:

ORTC is an initial three-year pilot project offering a flexible, on-demand transit service focused on user convenience. Trips can be booked up to seven days in advance for $5 a ride. To use the service, you simply book, ride, and go using the Blaise Transit app, the web portal at ride.blaisetransit.com, or by calling 613-631-1766.

Operated by Mobility Transportation Specialists (MTS), the service is partially funded by city property taxes and operates within Pembroke’s city limits, offering virtual stops for efficient pickups and drop-offs. Virtual stops are predetermined locations without physical infrastructure like signs or shelters, providing flexibility for this new service while ensuring convenient access close to your requested destination.

By 2027, it is estimated that 2 cents from every dollar of city taxes collected will be allocated to transit. This service was initiated based on community feedback and promotes affordable living by reducing transportation costs, ensuring our community is accessible to all. For more details on this service, please visit www.ortc.ca